Says, J&K safest place for tourists, women
SRINAGAR, DEC 10: Asking the people to rise and guard the interests of the State, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti Saturday said the residents of Jammu & Kashmir have to show the way to peace, development and prosperity.Addressing a gathering after laying foundation stone of the corporate office of J&K Cable Car Corporation here this afternoon, the Chief Minister said the people of the State have to create an atmosphere which can lead to friendship, amity and goodwill between the two neighboring countries. She said it is only a peaceful atmosphere which can pave the way for betterment of relations, resolution of issues and frequent interactions across the borders.Terming tourism as a means of integrating people, Mehbooba Mufti said she plans to make Srinagar a tourist destination itself rather than a transit point for tourists, as presently it is. She said many tourist development projects have been taken up in the city which includes development of old city as a heritage destination, development of water transport across the city, introducing para-gliding facilities at Harwan and many other facilities.The Chief Minister said she has plans of making a large park at Tattoo Ground and many other parks in the city to decongest it and provide a recreational space to its inhabitants. She, however, regretted that Government could not get much time this year to translate these plans into concrete actions and appealed people to help in maintaining peace so that the developmental activities aimed at their welfare are completed.Mehbooba Mufti said she is already in know of the demands and problems of the residents of Batamaloo area adding that these would be prioritized for resolution. She said tourism industry has a good employability factor and once the said city projects are completed, Srinagar would see a huge economic turnaround.Earlier, MLA, Batamaloo, Noor Mohammad in his speech thanked the Chief Minister for bringing the tourism potential of the summer capital city into focus. He hoped that with the initiatives taken by the Chief Minister, Srinagar city would have a developmental and economic turnaround.Earlier, Secretary Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah in his welcome address said the Government has flagged tourism development in Srinagar city as a priority. He said Rs. 75 crore are being spent on the beautification of Srinagar city during current year. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, SJM Gillani, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone, several senior officers of Tourism Department, besides a large number of people were present on the occasion. Meanwhile Days after separatist groups invited tourists to the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today called upon the people of the country to visit the state and enjoy its hospitality, saying that it was the safest place in the world for tourists.
“Jammu and Kashmir is the safest place not only in the country but the whole world for tourists and especially for women. You can move around here without any fear even during nights and nothing untoward will happen to you,” Mehbooba said while speaking at a function here.
She said that women face many hardships in other places in the country but her government would not let them face any hardships here.
“We get to know what happens to women in broad daylight in other places, compared to that women can come here either by themselves or in groups. We will take good care of them and would not let them face any hardship,” she said.
The chief minister said that her government would offer exciting packages to the tourists and invited them to visit the state along with their families.
“The atmosphere here is also very good, the place is picturesque and then snowfall is in the offing and I would like to invite all the people of the country to visit Kashmir and enjoy our hospitality.
“Kashmir is calling you all. We will offer exciting packages. We will organize a snow festival at Gulmarg in January, so I request the people of the country to visit Kashmir along with their children,” she said.
Mehbooba’s invite comes days after separatists made an appeal to tourists to visit the Valley, saying tourists and pilgrims from the world, including India, who intend to visit Kashmir were most welcome.
“From centuries, Kashmiris have been safeguarding and providing exemplary hospitality and safety to tourists and Yatris from the world, including India, as we have been taught hospitality, humanity and safeguarding the rights of guests by our great religion.
“Tourists and Yartris from the world, including India, who intend to visit Kashmir are most welcome,” the separatists said in a statement on December 6.
Since the agitation broke out in July, tourism-related activities have come to a standstill in Kashmir. (AGENCIES)
